Posts Tagged ‘S Qureshy’
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog.This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
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Today’s song is from film Arab ka Sitara-1946. Produced and directed by Nanubhai Vakil, under his own banner- Roshan Pictures, it was a costume drama film,eulogising the greatness of Islam and how sincere 5-time Namaz pleases Allah- the Supreme power.The 10 songs of the film were written by Shevan Rizvi and were composed by the One Film Music Director S Qureshi.
Sometimes I wonder, there was a time when this film industry was thickly populated with Muslim artistes in every field-acting, production,direction or composing music…still there were really not many films on Muslim backgrounds made. There is a sizable and rapidly growing portion of Muslim population in India, still,if you count films based on Muslim issues or Muslim backgrounds,they may not account for more than 1 to 2 % of the total film production.
It is not only the Muslim films, but films on other minorities like Christians,Parsis, Jains,Budhists, Sikhs too are not much represented in our films. It is very sad that such films are not made, though the figures and history tells us that such films were quite successful at the Box Office.
Muslim films are in Two categories. One, films made on Historical Muslim characters like Akbar, babar, Humayun, Shahjehan, Jehangir, Razia Sultan, etc etc and the Second group is that of Muslim society. Just for the sake of curiosity, I scanned the 5 volumes of HFGK and wrote down names of films made on Muslim subjects-both types. To my surprise,I could not go beyond even 50 films-from 1931 to 1980 !, Granting that I must have made a mistake in counting and identifying,since I do not know the story lines of every film, still the number will not go beyond 70-80 films, despite ruthless stretching !
The point I want to make here is that not many Muslim social movies are made in India ,over the years. One of the earliest such a film was Najma-43,I think. One very very explosive Muslim social film,made by Director Mehboob was “Elan” in 1947. Munawar Sultana was the lead actress in it. Before starting the shooting, Mehboob called her and said,” You have heard the story,it is a very very hot story.I guess there will be a lot of opposition from our fundamentalist people. You may have to face their ire. may be you will be attacked or thrown out of the society. But remember,I am doing this film,because I want our people to improve on par with others. If you want,you can reject the film even now. Think and tell me before we start shooting. “Munawar Sultana quickly said,”There is no need to think. I want to do this film. I am not afraid of anyone. I have full faith in you.” After release,the film did evoke violent reactions from a section of the Muslim society but it subsided slowly. Before Partition, Fazli brothers were known to make Muslim social films.
Some other Muslim socials I remember are Zeenat,Dil hi to hai,Bahu begum,Dastak,Garm hava,Bazar,Anjuman,Naseem, the Triology by Khalid Mohammed-Mammo-Sardari begum and Zubeida, Fiza,Junoon,Benazir,Gazal,Chhote nawab.Then there were Barsaat ki raat,Nikah,Shatranj,mehboob ki Mehendi,Umrao Jaan,Paakiza,Mere mehboob,Chaudhavi ka chaand,Anwar, My name is Khan,Bombay etc. Surely,there must be many more than what I have mentioned. I am not counting Historical films as they are not socials.
Being from Hyderabad, when it was a Nizam ruled state, I had a closer view of Muslim culture and even had some close Muslim friends in school and college. Though my early education in the 40s was in Urdu, over a period, I have lost the touch with Urdu- may be due to ‘ atrophy of disuse’ !
When I learnt that one of my friends, Shri P Kamalakar aka Kamlakar Pasupuleti, has written a book on Muslim films, I was very eager to have a copy. Last week I got my copy of his book ” Forgotten movies on Muslim Culture 1933-1947 “.
The book is an authentic chronicle of 30 films made on Muslim culture- social, historical and costume dramas based on imaginary events and stories. Kamlakar ji is an Urdu Scholar and had a superb enviable collection of film materials in Urdu, which he collected during his early life in Hyderabad. Now, he has been settled in US for a very long time. He has earlier published 2 books, based on this material, which are real Gems for students of old films, like me.
This new book too is exclusively based on documents like film booklets, reviews and News items in papers, books etc, all in Urdu. All this makes the book very well documented and authentic too. This is a treasure trove of early Indian movies, fit to be preserved for posterity. The original Urdu material is also given in the book.
Today I have selected a song from one of the films discussed in this book,namely, Arab ka sitara-46. Though the book’s title says 1933 to 1947, only one film of 1947 (Mulaqat-47) features in this book. As far as my information goes, films like Abida, Dard, Ek Roz, Elaan, Gul e Bakavli, Hatimtai, Kasam and Mirza Sahiban, all made in 1947, were also with Muslim culture background. These films do not feature in this book. One reason could be that due to Partition-pre and post activities, most films, passed by Censors in 1947 could not be released in 1947 itself for obvious reasons. Obviously, there were no reviews, articles or comments etc on these films in the newspapers. All these films got released in 1948 and thus are not included in this book. Of course, this is my surmise, based on facts.
I know for sure that the most famous and daring Muslim culture film ” Elaan” was censored in 1947 on 11-3-1947 ( certificate no. 35351) but was actually released only on 20-2-1948 in Super Cinema, Bombay. I thank Harish Raghuwanshi ji to confirm my surmise by facts, within lightning time, after my query today itself.
In any case, the book is not without errors. No book is without errors-in this subject- including my own book also. This is because, history and facts get updated every now and then, with newer evidence coming to light through many sources.
Film Arab ka sitara-46 was directed by Nanubhai Vakil. He was the fittest person for such type of B and C grade costume dramas- in which he specialised. It is no surprise that in his 20 Silent and 70 Talkie films just ONE film was a social film-Kya yeh Bambai hai-1959.
Nanubhai Vakil was born in Valsad in Gujarat in the year 1904. In his family there were many Advocates including his father,so their family name itself became Vakil, instead of their original surname Desai. Nanubhai came to Bombay to study Law. He completed his B.A. LL.B from Wilson College, Bombay but he did not join his family profession. Instead he was attracted towards the film world.
He joined Sharada films as a screenplay writer and later joined Ranjit films as a Director. He directed 18 silent films for Ranjit studios. However, it was Sagar Movietone which gave him the first opportunity to direct his first Talkie film. It was the First Gujarati Talkie film, “Narsimh Mehto” in 1932. After this there was no looking back. He opted for and became an expert in directing only Fantasy,Stunt and Costume films.
In his career from 1929 to 1973 period,he directed 20 silent and 70 Talkie films -all stunt and fantasy films, except one social film Kya yeh Bambai hai in 1959.
He was associated with Mohan pictures for a long time and directed 18 films for this company. During this period he also married his Heroine Sarojini ( real name Roshan Jehan alias Ranee). They had one daughter-AZRA, who too became an actress. Sarojini was actress Indurani’s elder sister.
Unlike most of his colleagues ,who had no formal school education ,Mr Vakil was highly educated ,being B.A.L.L.B. in those days.Since beginning,he was attracted to Fantasy & Arabian Night movies.He believed that,the audience visits the cinema hall, to experience some thing,which he has not seen in his real life. He wants to be entertained & to forget the harsh realities of the outer world. Fantasy/ Costume movies transports him to an imaginary world of King & Queens, where beside the crafty Vazir, he finds gorgeous girls dancing, the handsome,manly & brave hero,rescues the pretty damsel from the clutches of evil magician. The movie comes to an end and the viewers come out from the theater,happy & satisfied, since evil doers have been eliminated & brave man living happily with the petite gal, in their fairy land.
Bulbul E Bagh,Rashk E Laila, Fakhr E Islam, Gulshan E Alam, Kumud Kumari were his earlier movies. In 50s & 60s,few of his movies were,Shan E Hatim, Khul Ja Sim Sim, ShanE Khuda, Idd Ka Chand, Noor Mahal, Flying Rani, Alam Ara Ki Beti, Bansri Bala, Hatim Tai Ka Beta etc.He made remakes of many movies like Lal E Yaman, Alam Ara (Twice in 1956 & !973) & Hatim Tai Ki Beti in 1940 & 1955.During his five decades long career,he made movies with in a small budget ,with less paid actors. Nanu Bhai Vakil had two productions Companies viz Desai Films & Vakil Production. All his movies had no connect with the present. Elite & pseudo intellectuals avoided to even discuss his movies, but Vakil Sahab had a dedicated audience consisting of common public,less privileged & so called front benchers,who enjoyed his brand of cinema.
His films included less known stars like Sarojini, Navin chandra, Rafiq, Prakash, Gulnar, Daljit, Chitra etc. He also worked with Zubeida, Yakub, Jal Merchant,Jaddanbai,Shanta Hublikar, Nimmi, Veena, Jairaj, Shakila,Nirupa Roy, Nadira, Mehmood, Shobhana Samarth, Nirmala,her husband Arun Ahuja etc. His MDs were also little known. However, Music Director A.R.Qureshi ( the famous Tabla Nawaz Alla Rakha-father of Zakir Hussain) gave music to his 18 films.
He never mixed with film folks and spent his life aloof. He quietly died on 29-12-1980 at Bombay.
The story of film Arab ka Sitara-46 ( as given in the book) was…….
Anwar is a devout Muslim following 5 times Namaz, without fail. From a common soldier, he becomes Commander in Chief and then the king of his state. He is advised by his Vazier to go to neighbouring country to spread Islam. Accordingly, Anwar reaches that kingdom. Here he falls in love with the Princess Arifa. In his love she converts to Islam. When the king comes to know this, he arrests Arifa and Anwar. When Anwar is tortured for days, he exhibits his immense faith on Islam and The Allah. The king is impressed and he too coverts to Islam. Arifa and Anwar are married. Anwar forgets his 5 times Namaz in his joy and is punished immediately.
The Prime Minister rebels and with an army to support him, arrests Anwar, Arifa and the King. In the jail, Anwar starts his 5 times Namaz. A good hearted Namazi frees them. Anwar realises his mistakes and all of them strictly follow 5 times Namaz. All obstacles are removed, the rebels run away from the kingdom. The King is reinstated and all the kingdom is converted to Islam, thus Anwar proves the power of Namaz.
The cast of the film was Amirbai Karnataki, Prakash, Cuckoo, Rafiq, Ansari, Agha Shapoor etc etc. The song is sung by Rafi and Amirbai Karnataki with gusto and it had become quite popular among the Muslims in that period.
Song-Macha di dhoom duniya mein Islaam ke deewanon ne (Arab Ka Sitaara)(1946) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Shewan Rizvi, MD-S Qureshy
Rafi + Amirbai Karnataki
Lyrics
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaanon ne
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaanon ne
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
haan aan aan aan
mita ke kufr ki hasti
ee ee ee ee ee
basa ke ae
jalwon ki basti
ee ee ee
haan aan aan aan
mita ke kufr ki hasti
ee ee
basa ke ae
jalwon ki basti
ee ee ee ee ee ee
jala di noor ki shama
jala di noor ki shama
tauheed ke parwaanon ne
jala di noor ki shama
tauheed ke parwaanon ne
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaano ne
Macha di dhoom duniya mein
haan aan aan aan
jhanda ye sabz rang ka
aa aa aa aa
bajta hai jiska danka
aa aa aa
jhanda ye sabz rang ka
bajta hai jiska danka
aawaaz sun ke jiski
dhun sabko laagi rab ki
aawaaz sunke jiski
dhun sabko laagi rab ki
aawaaz sunke jiski
dhun sabko laagi rab ki
padha kalma Muhammad ka
padha kalma Muhammad ka
insaanon ne be-deenon ne
padha kalma Muhammad ka
insaanon ne be-deenon ne
macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaanon ne
macha di dhoom duniya mein
haan aan aan aan aan
zameen pe jab hua gul
la ilaaha il lallah
sitaaron se jawaab aaya
Muhammad ya rasool allah
kya
macha di dhoom duniya mein
macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaanon ne
islaam ke deewaanon ne
islaam ke deewaanon ne
macha di dhoom duniya mein
islaam ke deewaanon ne
macha di dhoom duniya mein
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“Arab Ka Sitaara”(1946) was directed by Nanubhai Vakil for Roshan Pictures, Bombay. This obscure movie, describe as a costume drama in HFGK, had Amirbai Karnataki, Prakash, Cuckoo, Rafi, Ansari, P D Lal, Malka, Hemlata, Agha Shapur etc in it.
The movie had ten songs in it. Details about the singers of these songs are not known for any of these songs.
A few songs from this movie are available and so one can guess about the singers of this song.
And guess what ! This movie has at least two songs that were sung by Rafi ! Seeing that Rafi was struggling to make his mark as a playback singer in 1946, these solo songs sung by him in this movie must be one of his earliest songs in HFM.Indeed it was just the 11th solo song in HFM for Rafi in his fledgeling career.
Today, on the occasion of Eid, here is this devotional song from “Arab Ka Sitaara”(1946). Rafi is the singer. Shewan Rizvi is the lyricist. Music is composed by S Qureshy.
On looking at the cast, I find a name called Rafi. Could this be this Rafi ! It is known that he had acted in “Laila Majnu”(1945) and “Jugnu”(1947). So why he could not act in this movie ? I request our knowledgeable readers to throw light on this movie as well as on my guess about Rafi in this movie.
With this song, “Arab Ka Sitaara”(1946) makes its debut in the blog.
Song-Milta hai kya namaaz mein sajde mein jaa ke dekh le (Arab ka Sitaara)(1946) Singer-Rafi, Lyrics-Shewan Rizvi, MD-S Qureshy
Lyrics
milta hai kya namaaz mein
sajde mein jaa ke dekh le
milta hai kya namaaz mein
sajde mein jaa ke dekh le
hoga khuda ke saamne
sar ko jhuka ke dekh le
hoga khuda ke saamne
sar ko jhuka ke dekh le
fikr o alam
na koi gham
hoga tujhe teri kasam
fikr o alam
na koi gham
hoga tujhe teri kasam
thhodi si der ke liye
masjid mein aa ke dekh le
thhodi si der ke liye
masjid mein aa ke dekh le
leti hai bas usi ka naam
kaliyaan chaman mein subah shaam
kaliyaan chaman mein subah sham
leti hai bas usi ka naam
kaliyaan chaman mein subah shaam
kaliyaan chaman mein subah sham
aankhon se bekhudi ke tu
parde hata ke dekh le
aankhon se bekhudi ke tu
parde hata ke dekh le
duniya ko dekhta hai kya
rab se bhi apni lau laga
duniya ko dekhta hai kya
rab se bhi apni lau laga
karke neeyat namaaz ki
jalwe khuda ke dekh le
karke neeyat namaz ki
jalwe khuda ke dekh le
milta hai kya namaaz mein
sajde mein jaake dekh le
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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